Station for reading and/or writing in electronic gaming chips

ABSTRACT

Station for reading and/or writing in a memory of a token having an electronic circuit, wherein the station includes a token storing system. An antenna arrangement includes first and second antennas. At least one of the first and second antennas include antenna loops that are disposed adjacently and at least partly superposed on each other so as to define an enlarged reading and/or writing area in which transmission quality is substantially homogeneous. A communication unit is adapted to exchange information with the memory via the antenna arrangement when the token is arranged in the token storing system in an orientation that allows for communication. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 ofFrench Patent Application No. 03 05681 filed on May 12, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a station for reading and/orwriting in a memory of a chip including an electronic circuit, inparticular a gaming chip, said station including a system for storingsaid chip and a communication unit adapted to exchange information withsaid memory via an antenna arrangement when said chip is disposed insaid storage system. The antenna arrangement includes first and secondantennas comprising first and second loops, respectively. It isunderstood that in the remainder of the description the expression“storage system” is to be interpreted in the widest possible sense andcovers in particular chip racks, boxes, and trays, as well as gaming,change or cash tabletops, in gaming rooms or casinos, and including chipsorting devices, and any surface or volume adapted to receive stacked orloose chips permanently or temporarily.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The expression “gaming chip” or “casino chip” means anydisk-shaped or plate-shaped article representing a value, possibly anominal value. Chips are generally fabricated from rigid andscratch-resistant plastics materials and carry patterns varying indesign and color to form a more or less complex decoration to reduce therisk of falsification and/or fraudulent reproduction. Some chipsincorporate an electronic circuit including a memory for storinginformation concerning the chip, in particular a number or an identifierand its numerical value. Chips equipped with electronic circuitsincluding a memory are also referred to as “electronic memory chips” and“electronic circuit chips”. Different designs of chips have electroniccircuits including PROM, EEPROM, or even microprocessors with associatedmemory.

[0006] The chip storage system, for example racks, are conventionallyused to store chips at the cashier's window and/or at the gaming tables.A rack contains chips exchanged for money, for example chips or plateswith different face values, cash, etc. It is also possible to take fromthe rack the chips necessary to pay out winning plays and to put intothe rack chips collected from losing plays. The number of chips in arack varies and consequently the overall value of the chips evolves overtime.

[0007] To facilitate monitoring the chips contained in the rack and inand out movements of the chips, in order to achieve better control ofthose movements and thereby combat fraud more effectively, patentapplication WO 97/30414 proposes to provide the rack with columns forstoring chips and reading and/or writing means able to communicate withthe chips stored in said columns. The reading means include ferriteantennas at the top of the column or loop antennas disposed slantwiseunder the columns, although the latter do not have such goodperformance. Devices of the above kind give good results especially withferrite antennas for a range of working frequencies from 125 kHz to 140kHz. However, good results are more difficult to achieve at higherfrequencies, for example 13.56 MHz or 2.45 GHz (the correspondingreduction in the number of turns in the antenna integrated into the chipcommensurately reducing the resistance to interference caused byradiation from the ferrite antennas in the rack).

[0008] Moreover, storing chips in columns or stacks that areprepositioned prior to the writing and/or reading operations is notacceptable or appropriate in some applications, in particular for theclosed storage area usually referred to as the “chip float” of AmericanRoulette tables, for example. At this location, the chips must bestackable in different vertical stacks on the gaming table top, with noparticular order or specific location.

[0009] From the patent EP 0 740 818, the person skilled in the art alsoknows of reading and/or writing stations including a gaming, change orcash tabletop carrying an antenna in the form of a spiral conductivelayer printed on an insulative support and connected to a communicationunit. The conductive layer of the antenna defines a central internaltransmission area. The communication unit can exchange information withchips laid flat on the transmission area, including stacked chips.

[0010] As in the case of the chip racks mentioned above, exchanges witha chip via the antenna are effected “without contact”, by means of radiowaves modulated at frequencies that are usually around 125 kHz to 140kHz. Communication conventionally requires that the chip not be “onedge”, i.e. oriented parallel to the magnetic field generated by theconductive layer. The chip is preferably laid flat on the tabletop, andthus perpendicular to the magnetic field generated by the conductivelayer of the antenna. Anticollision algorithms enable the communicationunit to read/write all of the chips in one or more stacks.

[0011] The above type of antenna, although well suited to checking achip or one or more stacks of chips (possibly comprising up to 20 chips)has the disadvantage of having a read/write shadow area at the internalboundary of the conductive layer, commensurately reducing the diameterof the central transmission area, for example an annular shadow areafrom 2 cm to 2.5 cm wide for a conductive layer with an outside diameterof 8 cm. What is more, the conductive layer of the antenna cannot bemade wider at will. This is because a minimum ratio must be respectedbetween the surface area of the antennas of the chips and the surfacearea of the conductive layer of the antenna.

[0012] In practice, it is considered that an antenna conductive layermust not be able to receive more than ten stacks of chips.

[0013] There is therefore a requirement for a reading and/or writingstation having a large storage area or volume able to communicatereliably at high frequencies, with a memory in an electronic circuitchip disposed anywhere in the storage area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention provides for a station for reading and/or writingin a memory of a token, in particular a gaming chip, incorporating anelectronic circuit, wherein the station includes:

[0015] a system for storing the chip, and

[0016] a communication unit adapted to exchange information with thememory when the chip is positioned in the storage system in anorientation allowing the communication via the antenna arrangementincluding first and second antennas comprising respective first andsecond loops disposed adjacently and at least partly superposed on eachother so as together to define an enlarged reading and/or writing areain which transmission quality is substantially homogeneous.

[0017] As explained in more detail in the remainder of the description,superposing the loops eliminates poor transmission areas. Thus, bysuperposing a multitude of loops it becomes possible to create largeareas of reliable transmission in said chip storage system regardless ofthe location of a chip within the transmission area, so that thecommunication unit is able to communicate reliably with a memory of thatchip.

[0018] Reading and/or writing stations according to the invention arecapable of operating even at modulation frequencies of several GHz, forexample 2.45 GHz, by controlling the phenomena of coupling betweenloops. According to other preferred embodiments of the invention:

[0019] the first and second antennas each comprise an upper loop and alower loop at least partly superposed on each other and electricallyconnected in parallel;

[0020] the upper loops and the lower loops of an antenna lie in twosubstantially parallel planes and face each other;

[0021] an area of overlap of lower surfaces defined by two superposedloops has a smallest dimension that is greater than or equal to the sumof the widths of peripheral poor transmission strips of the loops;

[0022] at least one of the loops includes a plurality of contiguoussuperposed turns;

[0023] the turns are superposed to a height from 4 mm to 10 mm;

[0024] the storage system has substantially parallel upper and/or lowerwalls serving as supports for the loops and the number, location,dimensions and areas of overlap of the loops are determined so that thecommunication unit can exchange the information with the chip regardlessof the position of the chip provided that the chip is substantiallyparallel to the upper and/or lower walls;

[0025] the upper and lower walls serve as supports for the lower andupper loops, respectively;

[0026] the communication unit includes a chip discriminating system;

[0027] the communication unit includes a duplicate elimination system;

[0028] the communication unit includes a system for sequential selectionof the antennas;

[0029] at least one of the antennas is electrically connected to thecommunication unit via a device for adjusting the phase differencebetween an electrical voltage at the terminals of the antenna and theelectrical current flowing in the antenna;

[0030] the phase difference adjuster device is electrically connected toterminals of the antenna in the immediate vicinity of the antenna;

[0031] the station includes a plurality of antennas partially or whollyintegrated into a gaming, change or cash table or into a chip sortingdevice; and

[0032] the station includes a plurality of antennas partly or whollyintegrated into a portable and/or removable chip storage device, inparticular a chip rack, mobile tray or box.

[0033] The invention also provides antenna means conformed so that theycan be incorporated into a reading and/or writing station according tothe invention and including first and second antennas respectivelycomprising at least partly superposed first and second loops.

[0034] The invention further provides a method of adjusting a readingand/or writing station according to the invention, which method includesthe following successive stages:

[0035] a) completely wiring the reading and/or writing station;

[0036] b) electrically connecting the first antenna and adjusting thephase difference between the electrical voltage at the terminals of thefirst antenna and the electrical current flowing in the first antenna toa predetermined value; and

[0037] c) electrically connecting the second antenna and adjusting thephase difference between the electrical voltage at the terminals of thesecond antenna and the electrical current flowing in the second antennato a predetermined value.

[0038] The invention also provides for a station for reading and/orwriting in a memory of a token having an electronic circuit, wherein thestation comprises a token storing system. An antenna arrangementcomprises antennas. At least two of said antennas comprises at least oneantenna loop. The at least one antenna loop of one of said at least twoof said antennas and the at least one antenna loop of another of said atleast two of said antennas is disposed adjacently and being at leastpartly superposed on each other so as to define an enlarged readingand/or writing area in which transmission quality is substantiallyhomogeneous. A communication unit is adapted to exchange informationwith the memory via the antenna arrangement when said token is arrangedin the token storing system in an orientation that allows forcommunication.

[0039] The token may comprise a gaming chip. Each of the antennas maycomprise respective first and second loops. Each of the antennas maycomprise an upper loop and a lower loop at least partly superposed oneach other and electrically connected in parallel. Each upper loop andeach lower loop may lie in two substantially parallel planes and faceeach other.

[0040] The station may further comprise at least one area of overlapbetween the antenna loops. At least one of the antenna loops may includea plurality of contiguous superposed turns. The plurality of contiguoussuperposed turns may be superposed to a height in the range of between 4mm and 10 mm.

[0041] The token storing system may comprise a storage tray. The tokenstoring system may comprise substantially parallel upper and lower wallsserving as supports for the antenna loops. The antennas may be arrangedto allow the communication unit to exchange said information with saidtoken regardless of a position of said token in the token storage systemand provided that said token is substantially parallel to said upper andlower walls. Each of the antennas may respectively comprise first andsecond antenna loops having areas of overlap. The token storing systemmay comprise substantially parallel upper and lower walls serving assupports for the first and second loops. The communication unit mayinclude a chip discriminating system. The communication unit may includea duplicate elimination system. The communication unit may include achip discriminator. The communication unit may include a duplicateeliminator. The communication unit may include a system for sequentialselection of said antennas.

[0042] At least one of said antennas may be electrically connected tosaid communication unit via a phase difference adjusting device. Thephase difference adjusting device may provide adjustment between anelectrical voltage at terminals of said antennas and an electricalcurrent flowing in said antennas. The phase difference adjusting devicemay be electrically connected to terminals of said antenna arrangementin an immediate vicinity thereof.

[0043] The station may further comprise at least one of a gaming table,a change table, a cash table, and a chip sorting device. The station mayfurther comprise a plurality of antennas partially or wholly integratedinto at least one of the gaming table, the change table, the cash table,and the chip sorting device. The token storing system may comprise oneof a portable storage device, a removable storage device, a chip rack, amobile tray, and a box.

[0044] The station may further comprise a plurality of antennaspartially or wholly integrated into at least one of the portable storagedevice, the removable storage device, the chip rack, the mobile tray,and the box.

[0045] The invention also provides for an antenna arrangement for atoken storage device which comprises a plurality of antennas. At leasttwo of said plurality of antennas comprises at least one antenna loop.The least one antenna loop of one of said at least two of said antennasand the at least one antenna loop of another of said at least two ofsaid antennas being disposed adjacently and being at least partlysuperposed on each other so as to define an enlarged reading and/orwriting area in which transmission quality is substantially homogeneous.The antenna arrangement is adapted to exchange information with a memoryof a token when said token is arranged in the token storing device in anorientation that allows for communication.

[0046] The invention also provides for a method of making the stationdescribed above wherein the method comprises wiring said station,electrically coupling the at least two of said antennas to thecommunication unit, adjusting a phase difference between an electricalvoltage at terminals of one of the at least two of said antennas and anelectrical current flowing in the one of at least two of said antennasto a predetermined value, and adjusting a phase difference between anelectrical voltage at terminals of another of the at least two of saidantennas and an electrical current flowing in the another of the atleast two of said antennas to a predetermined value.

[0047] If applicable for any remaining non-adjusted antenna, the methodprovides for sequentially adjusting a phase difference between voltageat terminals of the non-adjusted antenna adjacent to the just previouslyadjusted antenna and an electrical current flowing in said non-adjacentantenna adjacent to the just previously adjusted antenna.

[0048] The invention also provides for the combination of acommunication device and a storing device having a token storing areadefined by walls for storing tokens having an electronic circuit,wherein the combination comprises an antenna arrangement coupled to atleast one of the walls. The communication device is connectable to theantenna arrangement and is adapted to exchange information with thetokens via the antenna arrangement when said tokens are arranged in thestoring device in an orientation that allows for communication.

[0049] The antenna arrangement may comprise antennas. Each of at leasttwo of said antennas may comprise at least one antenna loop, one atleast one antenna loop and another at least one antenna loop beingdisposed adjacently and are at least partly superposed on each other soas to define an enlarged reading and/or writing area in whichtransmission quality is substantially homogeneous. One of said antennasmay be arranged on a wall and another of said antennas may be arrangedon a different parallel wall.

[0050] The storing device may comprise a tray and a lid and wherein oneat least one antenna loop is arranged on the lid and another at leastone antenna loop is arranged on the tray. Two antenna loops may bearranged on the lid and two antenna loops are arranged on the tray. Thecommunication device may comprise multiplexing circuit, an electronicread/write circuit and a processor. The antenna arrangement may comprisea plurality of antenna loops having areas of overlap.

[0051] The invention also provides for a method of providingcommunication between tokens and the storing device described abovewherein the method comprises arranging the tokens in the storing deviceand providing communication between the tokens and the communicationdevice via the antenna arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The following description with reference to the appended drawingsexplains the advantages of the invention.

[0053]FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a reading and/or writing stationarchitecture conforming to the invention.

[0054]FIGS. 2a and 2 b are respectively diagrammatic and front views ofantenna means of a “monoplane” variant of the invention.

[0055]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an antennaarrangement conforming to a “biplane” variant of the invention.

[0056]FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically an antenna wiring architectureconforming to the invention.

[0057]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a portable chip boxintegrating a reading and/or writing station conforming to a “biplane”variant of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] In the nonlimiting figures listed above, components are notnecessarily shown to the same scale. The same reference numbers havebeen used in the various figures to designate identical or similarcomponents. Dimensions are provided by way of example only.

[0059] The reading and/or writing station according to the inventionshown in FIG. 1 essentially comprises a storage system in the form of atray 10 adapted to accommodate gaming chips 12 (shown in the figure inthe form of rectangular plates and disks), possibly stored in stacks,and a communication unit 20 associated with an antenna arrangement 30consisting of five flat loop antennas 46 to 50.

[0060] Two terminals of each antenna 46 to 50 are connected by amultiple line 52 to double inputs E1 to E5 of a multiplexing card 24forming a sequential antenna selection interface. The output S0 of thecard 24 is connected by a bidirectional line 27 to an electronicread/write circuit card 26 including a system for reading and writing inthe memory of chip 12 controlled by a microprocessor-based processorunit 22, in this instance a personal computer (PC).

[0061] The processor unit 22 controls the read/write card 26 via theline 23 and the multiplexing card 24 via the line 25. In theconventional way, the processor unit 22 communicates with the outsideworld (display peripheral, keyboard, modem, network interfaces, server,etc.) via input/output (I/O) lines 29, either in point to point mode orin network mode. Without departing from the scope of the invention, asimplified version of the communication unit 20 includes only a systemfor reading the chip memory, the structure and operation of which aresimilar to what is described hereinafter for the read/write unit 26.

[0062] The processor unit 22 conventionally comprises a time and datecircuit adapted to specify the time and the date of each event and anEEPROM for storing data exchanged with the electronic chips. It isnormally equipped with a keyboard and a display screen, not shown. Thekeyboard is used, for example, to enter into the system information suchas commands to open and/or close the gaming table with which the readand/or write station is associated, to enter the name of the operator,etc. Similarly, the screen can display some or all of the followinginformation: total number of chips in the storage system 10, number ofchips of each denomination, and total value of chips in the storagesystem 10.

[0063] The read/write card 26 includes a microprocessor which generatesand interprets signals exchanged with the electronic memory chips and anoscillator which generates the carrier frequency of the radio frequencysignal fed to the antennas (for example a frequency from 125 kHz to 140kHz or 13.56 MHZ or 2.45 GHz). The card 26 also includes ananalog-to-digital converter, a modulator and an amplifier. Based oncommands and information from the computer 22, the card 26 generates anamplitude modulated radio frequency analog signal which conveys power,data and a synchronization signal to the electronic memory chips via theselected antenna.

[0064] The disk or plate chip 12 shown in FIG. 2a is a passive (i.e.having no internal energy storage device) read-only or read/write chip.It includes an electronic circuit 17 with a memory 21 and a transceiver18 adapted to communicate “without contact” via an internal antenna 19.The quality of communication depends on the orientation of the chip 12relative to the antenna arrangement 30. The chip 12 is preferably laidflat or stacked on the transmission area defined by the antennas 46-50.

[0065] The simplest version of the electronic circuit 17 is amicrocircuit equipped with a non-reprogrammable memory 21 (for example aPROM), with a single identification code on 32 or 64 bits whose fieldcan include the serial number of the chip 12.

[0066] A more sophisticated version of the chip 12 is equipped with areprogrammable memory 21 (for example an EEPROM) that can be read andwritten and uses a code that can evolve. This ability to modify theinformation contained in the memory 21 makes the electronic chip 12 moresecure, in particular by enabling authentication parameters to bechanged. Similarly, it is possible to personalize certain areas of thememory 21 and then configure them, reversibly or otherwise, as aread-only memory area or a read/write memory area. The memory 21 cancontain the serial number of the chip 12 or a batch of chips, thenominal value, and other information such as the name of the casino,etc.

[0067] An even more sophisticated version of the chip 12 is equippedwith a microprocessor capable of carrying out processing operations andcomplex transactions. Dialog between the communication unit 20 and thechip 12 is optionally authorized only after mutual authentication, byentry of password and/or cryptography key type codes into the chip 12and the communication unit 20 (in particular to encrypt the data duringits transfer between the communication unit 20 and the chip 12).

[0068] The memory 21 contains coded information specific to the chip 12so that the latter can be identified and authenticated by an appropriatereader unit (a read-only unit or a read/write unit operating in readmode).

[0069] The internal antenna 19, which is of the conventional circularcoil type, is implanted in the core of the chip 12 and adapted toreceive energy and information through inductive coupling to the antennaarrangement 30. The internal antenna 19 transmits the energy necessaryfor the electronic circuit 17 and the transceiver 18 to operate.Finally, it transmits data to the antenna arrangement 30.

[0070] The working distance between the antenna arrangement 30 and theinternal antenna 19 of the chip 12 is defined as a function of themagnetic flux necessary for correct operation of the electronic circuitof the chip 12 and therefore depends on the inductance, the geometry ofthe internal antenna 19 and the antenna arrangement 30, and the antennacurrent in the antenna arrangement 30.

[0071] The electronic circuit and the associated software are preferablyadapted to read and/or write a plurality of chips simultaneously or todiscriminate between the chips, in such a fashion as to work on stackedchips. They further includes a system, in particular software, foreliminating duplicates (chips read two or more times).

[0072] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the communicationunit 20 incorporates a discrimination function, in particular in thecard 26, so that it can dialog with each of the chips 12 in one or morestacks placed on top of an antenna, for example the antenna 46, when theantenna is active. The communication unit 20 captures the identity of afirst chip and then performs the required read and/or write operationson that chip. The communication unit 20 then deactivates the chip bysending it a standby command before continuing its interrogation insearch of other chips in the working area of the active antenna 46,until all of the chips present have been captured.

[0073] After capture and/or processing of the last chip, thecommunication unit 20 sends a command for reactivating all of the chipsplaced on top of the antenna 46, and then moves on to another antenna,until it has read all of the chips present on the tray 10. This chipdiscrimination function is also known as an anticollision function.

[0074] The structure and the fabrication of the electronic circuit chips12 with memory are not described in more detail here. For example, thepatent application EP-A-0694872 describes chip structures that can beused in the context of the present invention. Similarly, the patentapplication W0 97/30414 previously cited contains further information onthe general mode of operation of electronic devices for storing gamingchips.

[0075] On the subject of the duration of transactions, the performancethat can be achieved from the station according to the invention withexisting components using the 125 kHz technology is of the order of aperiod of around ten seconds to capture around 100 chips.

[0076] It is therefore possible for the communication unit 20, bycommunicating with the memory 21 of each of the chips 12, to determinein real time the number of electronic memory chips contained in thestorage system 10, the value of each chip, the instantaneous total valuecontained in the storage system 10, the identity of each chip, the valueper denomination, or any other information associated, for example, withthe identity of the chip. The information can be stored, processed inreal time, or transmitted to a server via a network for the purposes ofcarrying out any required analyses and processing.

[0077] Each antenna 46-50 is formed of a copper-based electrical wirewith a diameter from 0.8 mm to 1 mm, coiled to define a respective loop46′-50′ with several turns. The expression “interior surface” 56, 57,58, 59 and 60 refers to the surface delimited by the loop of therespective antenna 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50. The turns are preferablysuperposed, preferably to a height from 4 mm to 10 mm. The shape and thedimensions of each loop 46′-50′ are determined so that homogeneoustransmission quality makes communication with a chip 12 placed orstacked in the central area of the loop reliable.

[0078] The antennas 46-50 are spread over the tray 10 to occupysubstantially all of the surface. The antennas 46-50 preferably projectbeyond the edge of the surface of the tray 10 adapted to receive chips12. The interior surface 56-60 of a loop 46′-50′ includes a peripheralstrip (shown in FIG. 2a only for the loops 46′ and 47′, and respectivelyidentified by the reference numbers 61 and 62), approximately 5 mm to 10mm side, in which transmission is generally of poor quality. To preventa chip 12 from being placed in line with this peripheral strip 62, theantennas 46-50 must project at least by the width of the peripheralstrip 62.

[0079] In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2 b, which is of the“monoplane” type, the loops 46′-50′ of the antennas 46-50 are partiallysuperposed two by two. The interior surfaces 56 and 60 of the antennas46 and 50 partially overlap the interior surfaces 57 and 59 of theantennas 47 and 49, respectively, and the interior surface 58 of theantenna 48 partially overlaps the surfaces 57 and 59 of the antennas 47and 49.

[0080] The substantially elongate overlap areas 76, 77, 78, and 79,shown cross-hatched, reduce or even eliminate poor transmission stripswhich would be present at the periphery of the interior surface of theloops if there were no such overlap.

[0081] The dimensions of an area of overlap of two loops, for examplethe loops 46′ and 47′, are defined to limit the overlap areas of thepoor transmission peripheral strips 61 and 62, respectively, of the twoloops. The overlap areas of these peripheral strips constitutenon-optimum transmission areas.

[0082] The smallest dimension of the area 76 of overlap of the two loops46′ and 47′ is preferably greater than or equal to the sum of the widthsof the peripheral poor transmission strips 61 and 62 of the two loops.For example, if the loops 46′ and 47′ have peripheral strips 61 and 62that are 8 mm wide, the width of the overlap area 76 is preferably atleast 16 mm.

[0083] The dimensions of the overlap areas 76, 77, 78, and 79 depend onthe chips 12 used, in particular on their dimensions. Simple trials willenable the person skilled in the art to determine the optimum dimensionsof the overlap areas as a function of the intended application.

[0084] The overlapping in accordance with the invention of the interiorsurfaces of the antenna loops produces a large reliable transmissionarea through the partial superposition of a plurality of small area loopantennas.

[0085] The superposed antennas are preferably bonded together in theirareas of contact.

[0086] The superposed antennas preferably lie in a lower layer 80 and anupper layer 82, as shown in FIG. 2b. When the number of antennas neededto occupy the surface of the tray 10 adapted to receive chips is odd,the number of loops in the upper layer 82 is preferably greater than thenumber of loops in the lower layer 80. This arrangement has theadvantage of increasing the number of antennas in the layer nearest thechips 12, i.e. in the top layer 82.

[0087] In a second variant of the invention shown in FIG. 3, which is ofthe “biplane” type, the antennas 46-50 each comprise an upper loop 46s-50 s and a lower loop 46 i-50 i electrically connected in parallel.The lower loops 46 i-50 i are at least partly superposed two by two,like the loops of the antenna arrangement 30 of the first embodiment ofthe invention described above (FIGS. 2a and 2 b). Similarly, the upperloops 46 s-50 s are at least partly superposed two by two.

[0088] The upper loops 46 s-50 s and the lower loops 46 i-50 i lie intwo substantially parallel planes Ps and Pi, respectively, with thelower and upper loops of an antenna facing each other.

[0089] The planes Ps and Pi are preferably the surfaces of horizontaland substantially parallel upper walls 84 and/or lower walls 86, shownin part, which support the loops 46 s-50 s and 46 i-50 i, respectively,and are used as a lid and a storage tray, respectively, of a chipstorage box. The distance between the cover 84 and the tray 86 ispreferably determined so that the communication unit 20 can exchangeinformation with any chip 12 placed or stacked on the tray 86 and underthe cover 84, regardless of the height of the stack. For example, a“biplane” type read and/or write station can read stacks ofapproximately 30 gaming chips each approximately 3 mm thick.

[0090] By way of nonlimiting example, a storage box with a readingstation in accordance with the invention is used to constitute theclosed storage area usually referred to as the “chip float” of AmericanRoulette tables, in which case the box is integrated into the table.

[0091]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one example of a portable“biplane” type chip box 190. The box 190 has a lower wall 86′ thatincorporate five loops similar to the loops 46 i-50 i described aboveand an upper wall 84′ which incorporate five loops similar to the loops46 s-50 s described above. The upper wall 84′ includes five transparentmaterial windows 192 and is held parallel to the lower wall 86′ by awide U-shaped transparent lateral wall 194, as shown in FIG. 5, and bytwo end pillars 195 and 197 also used to pass cables between the lowerand upper loops. The box 190 is completed by a plane transparent mobilewall 198 sliding vertically on the two pillars 195 and 197.

[0092] There are many applications of reading and/or writing stationsaccording to the invention, including applications using “fixed”antennas at least partly integrated into a gaming, change or cash tableor a chip sorter and applications integrated into portable and/orremovable chip storage units such as chip racks, portable boxes andtrays. Obviously, the same gaming table can incorporate a plurality offixed or removable read and/or write stations according to theinvention, especially American Roulette tables, for diverse functionssuch as managing chips not yet assigned a value, detecting the placingof stakes in the playing area of the gaming table, etc. according to theteachings of the patent FR-B-2.749.093.

[0093] To summarize, reading stations according to the invention can beused fixedly or removably in association with gaming, change or cashtabletops for gaming rooms or casinos, chip sorters or any surface orvolume adapted to receive stacked or loose chips permanently ortemporarily. The overlapping of the antenna loops can give rise tointerference caused by electromagnetic coupling between the antennas,that increases as the working frequency increases. To eliminate or limitthese effects, each antenna 46-50 is electrically connected to thesequential antenna selector means 24 via a device 96-100 for adjustingthe relative phase of the electrical voltages at the terminals of theantennas and the electrical currents flowing therein, as shown in FIG.4. Each phase adjuster device 96-100 is preferably connected in theimmediate proximity of the antenna 46-50 for which it is intended. Thephase adjuster device 96-100 is preferably connected directly to theterminals of the antenna 46-50, which are respectively referenced 46b-50 b and 46 d-50 d in the “monoplane” and “biplane” variants shown inFIGS. 4 and 3, respectively.

[0094] After the reading and/or writing station according to theinvention has been wired completely, each antenna 46-50 is adjusted insuccession by electrical connection to the sequential selector system 24followed by adjusting said phase difference to an optimum value, readilydetermined by the person skilled in the art by simple trial and error.This value is preferably substantially equal to zero.

[0095] This method of adjusting the reading and/or writing stationaccording to the invention has the advantage of limiting theinterference caused by the presence within the loops of the mass ofmetal consisting of portions of adjacent loops. This method furtherlimits electromagnetic coupling between loops.

[0096] Of course, the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described and shown hereinabove, which are provided by wayof illustrative and nonlimiting example.

[0097] The shape, number, disposition and location of the antennas ofthe communication unit 20 and the antenna selection interface 24 can beadapted as a function of fabrication constraints and/or diversespecifications, in particular as set by casino operators.

[0098] In particular, the antennas 46-50 can be disposed within thethickness of the tray 10 or above or below the tray 10, especially inthe “monoplane” variant. A position under the tray 10 has the advantagesof easy mounting and the fact that the tray 10 remains perfectly flat.

[0099] The positions of the antennas in a station according to theinvention could equally well be different from those described. Theperson skilled in the art will know how to determine the optimumpositions of the antennas as a function of the positions andorientations of the chips.

1-17. (Canceled).
 18. A station for reading and/or writing in a memoryof a token having an electronic circuit, said station comprising: atoken storing system; an antenna arrangement comprising first and secondantennas; at least one of the first and second antennas comprisingantenna loops disposed adjacently and being at least partly superposedon each other so as to define an enlarged reading and/or writing area inwhich transmission quality is substantially homogeneous; and acommunication unit adapted to exchange information with the memory viathe antenna arrangement when said token is arranged in the token storingsystem in an orientation that allows for communication.
 19. The stationof claim 18, wherein the token comprises a gaming chip.
 20. The stationof claim 18, wherein the first and second antennas each compriserespective first and second loops.
 21. The station of claim 18, whereinthe first and second antennas each comprise an upper loop and a lowerloop at least partly superposed on each other and electrically connectedin parallel.
 22. The station of claim 21, wherein each upper loop andeach lower loop lie in two substantially parallel planes and face eachother.
 23. The station of claim 18, further comprising at least one areaof overlap between the antenna loops.
 24. The station of claim 18,wherein at least one of the first and second antennas includes aplurality of contiguous superposed turns.
 25. The station of claim 24,wherein said plurality of contiguous superposed turns are superposed toa height in the range of between 4 mm and 10 mm.
 26. The station ofclaim 18, wherein the token storage system comprises a storage tray. 27.The station of claim 18, wherein the token storage system comprisessubstantially parallel upper and lower walls serving as supports for thefirst and second antennas.
 28. The station of claim 27, wherein thefirst and second antennas are arranged to allow the communication unitto exchange said information with said token regardless of a position ofsaid token in the token storage system and provided that said token issubstantially parallel to said upper and lower walls.
 29. The station ofclaim 18, wherein the first and second antennas respectively comprisefirst and second antenna loops having areas of overlap.
 30. The stationof claim 29, wherein the token storage system comprises substantiallyparallel upper and lower walls serving as supports for the first andsecond loops.
 31. The station of claim 18, wherein said communicationunit includes a chip discriminating system.
 32. The station of claim 18,wherein said communication unit includes a duplicate elimination system.33. The station of claim 18, wherein said communication unit includes achip discriminator.
 34. The station of claim 18, wherein saidcommunication unit includes a duplicate eliminator.
 35. The station ofclaim 18, wherein said communication unit includes a system forsequential selection of said first and second antennas.
 36. The stationof claim 18, wherein at least one of said first and second antennas iselectrically connected to said communication unit via a phase differenceadjusting device.
 37. The station of claim 36, wherein the phasedifference adjusting device provides adjustment between an electricalvoltage at terminals of said first and second antennas and an electricalcurrent flowing in said first and second antennas.
 38. The station ofclaim 36, wherein the phase difference adjusting device is electricallyconnected to terminals of said antenna arrangement in an immediatevicinity thereof.
 39. The station of claim 18, further comprising atleast one of a gaming table, a change table, a cash table, and a chipsorting device.
 40. The station of claim 39, further comprising aplurality of antennas partially or wholly integrated into at least oneof the gaming table, the change table, the cash table, and the chipsorting device.
 41. The station of claim 18, wherein the token storagesystem comprises one of a portable storage device, a removable storagedevice, a chip rack, a mobile tray, and a box.
 42. The station of claim41, further comprising a plurality of antennas partially or whollyintegrated into at least one of the portable storage device, theremovable storage device, the chip rack, the mobile tray, and the box.43. An antenna arrangement for a token storage device, comprising: firstand second antennas; at least one of the first and second antennascomprising antenna loops that are disposed adjacently and being at leastpartly superposed on each other so as to define an enlarged readingand/or writing area in which transmission quality is substantiallyhomogeneous, wherein the antenna arrangement is adapted to exchangeinformation with a memory of a token when said token is arranged in thetoken storing device in an orientation that allows for communication.44. A method of making the station of claim 18, the method comprising:wiring said station; electrically coupling said first and secondantennas to the communication unit; and adjusting a phase differencebetween an electrical voltage at terminals of said first antenna and anelectrical current flowing in said first antenna to a predeterminedvalue; and adjusting a phase difference between an electrical voltage atterminals of said second antenna and an electrical current flowing insaid second antenna to a predetermined value.
 45. The combination of acommunication unit and a storage device having a token storing areadefined by walls for storing tokens having an electronic circuit, saidcombination comprising: an antenna arrangement coupled to at least oneof the walls; and the communication device being connectable to theantenna arrangement and being adapted to exchange information with thetokens via the antenna arrangement when said tokens are arranged in thestoring device in an orientation that allows for communication.
 46. Thecombination of claim 45, wherein the antenna arrangement comprises firstand second antennas.
 47. The combination of claim 46, wherein at leastone of the first and second antennas comprise antenna loops that aredisposed adjacently and are at least partly superposed on each other soas to define an enlarged reading and/or writing area in whichtransmission quality is substantially homogeneous.
 48. The combinationof claim 46, wherein the first and second antennas are arranged ondifferent parallel walls.
 49. The combination of claim 46, wherein thestorage device comprises a tray and a lid and wherein the first andsecond antennas are respectively arranged on the lid and the tray. 50.The combination of claim 45, wherein the communication device comprisesmultiplexing circuit, an electronic read/write circuit and a processor.51. The combination of claim 45, wherein the antenna arrangementcomprises a plurality of antenna loops having areas of overlap.
 52. Amethod of providing communication between tokens and the storage deviceof claim 45, the method comprising: arranging the tokens in the storagedevice; and providing communication between the tokens and thecommunication device via the antenna arrangement.